A Feminist Recap Of Season Seven’s Premiere Of ‘Game of Thrones’

I dare not praise this exciting episode’s success without bowing down to the women played in it.

By Rachael Edwards

[Warning: spoilers ahead]

A girl is still recovering from last night’s Season 7 premiere of “Game of Thrones”. My voice is hoarse from screaming every other scene, and my edges have fallen off from how flawlessly this show can juggle fifteen thousand storylines. Historically, GoT’s represented women as strong, but still disposable. With heavy criticism from fans who watched women characters being sexually and physically abused, the show seems to be taking a 360 degree turn, redeeming these characters with esteem and in-depth storylines. I dare not praise this exciting episode’s success without bowing down to the women played in it.1. Arya Stark:The opening scene is Lord Walder Frey giving a toast to the men that aided him during the Red Wedding. The men raise their glasses and take a drink. Lord Frey, visibly, does not. He talks to them about how they killed all the Starks, save one. All of a sudden we see the men who took a drink begin to choke and grumpy ass Frey peels his face off and well damn, it’s fucking Arya. Fuck her damn hitlist – Arya is not just going out for key players, this girl time to take out their supporters. Was I the only one who cackled when she met up with (peasant) Sheeran and crew and she told them she was going to kill Cersei? They thought she was kidding. I’m dying to see what more damage she is going to do to her enemies.

2. Sansa Stark:Sansa, you’re doing amazing sweetie. I almost threw my drink when she talked all over her brother, Jon Snow, when they were trying to sort out what to do with the Houses who betrayed (deceased) Robb Stark, the war in the South, and the arrival of winter. I’m just going to get it out of the way and say that women should talk over men like they talk over us all the damn time. Brava, sis.

She even shut down Littlefinger when he tried to whisper bitternothings into her ear about her right to be Queen of the North. I live!

3. Lyanna Mormont:I said this before and I’ll say it again, Lyanna might just make me believe white women can do this feminism thing right. Instead of rallying behind a Scarlett Johanssen–white women need to cape and learn from House Mormont.

Lyanna was involved in what seemed to be a community forum with Jon Snow. When I tell you she got those older folks together! She’s stern and no one questions her judgement. She is defying the conventional notions of age and sound judgement. Lyanna will always have the final word, and who gon’ check her? 4. Brienne of Tarth:I always have to collect myself when Brienne walks into scene. Her character is bae-incarnate.

When she is not trying to help poor Podrick learn how to fight, she is right behind Sansa ready to snatch anyone who dares to harm her. This season, Brienne is in charge of protecting Sansa. Brienne came through with the, “Why is he [Littlefinger] still here?” It reminds me of when your friend just broke up with her boyfriend, but he’s still coming over to pick up the rest of his *things* and you have to check her asking him why he’s still there. Brienne is that girl who is going to hold you accountable.

5. Cersei Lannister: You either hate her or you love her, but that does not negate the fact that she runs her shit. Cersei ran all over Jaime as he was trying to mansplain she said unapologetically that she is queen now. But before that, Cersei takes her sweet time and glides over this enormous map of Westeros that is on their floor–North, East, South, and West–and tells him mockingly that she has enemies everywhere. Beetch!

Cersei has traded her sorrows for pettiness.

6. Daenerys Targaryen:The producers knew what they were doing, torturing its viewers and giving us the last 10-15 minutes to focus on the Mother of Dragons. We watched as Dany proudly reached the realm of her kin, Dragonstone, and leave us with our mouths agape as she turns to Tyrion and asks, “Shall we begin?” That line was dripping with power, and confidence and a reminder that she did not come to play with us hoes. Daenerys Targaryen, first of her name, came to slay with fire and blood.

7. Missandei: Missandei is a breath of fresh air. She is one of the character of color who has more than one line and who regularly appears in scenes with Dany. Though her role is small, she makes big moves to ensure Dany’s success. When they reached Dragonstone and observed the throne room, Missandei’s boo GreyWorm (Unsullied) wanted to follow Dany up the steps to her throne. Quickly, Missandrei grabbed his arm and told him to let Dany have her moment. SHE KNEW! That moment made me so full because Black women, we know, fucking trust us!

Trust Black women, ya’ll!

Author Bio: Rachael is a writer based in Baltimore who loves to disrupt society and engage in conversations that challenge us to be better humans. Rachael’s work centers Black women and our experiences. On her down time she performs, floods your Instagram timelines with selfies and eats fish tacos. You can find her here: TwitterWebsiteInstagram